The brilliant 2009 Les Pagodes de Cos actually has more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend than the grand vin (69% versus 65%) in addition to mostly Merlot and a small quantity of Petit Verdot. As powerful as the Cos in terms of alcoholic clout (14.5%), the full-bodied, round, generous Les Pagodes de Cos exhibits lots of creme de cassis and floral notes intermixed with hints of wood/barrique and spice. Juicy, succulent and remarkably fresh and well-delineated, it merits considerable attention from consumers. It should drink well for 15-20 years. Oddly enough, the second wine is superior to many vintages of Cos in the 1960s 1970s and 1980s! Feb 2012, www.robertparker.com
Robert ParkerScore: 94/100
Spices, nutmeg, dark fruits on the nose, follow through to a full body, with very precise tannins and a long finish. A beautiful and racy wine. Second wine of Cos d'Estournel. Better in 2017. James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
James SucklingScore: 93/100
Wow. Intense aromas of blackberry, toasted nuts and spices follow through to full body, with layers of fruit and wonderful length. Very, very impressive. For a second wine, this is quite the glassful
Wine SpectatorScore: 90-93/100
This is very deep and limpid in colour. The second wine of Cos d’Estournel has an intense nose of blackberry, smoke and tobacco, with a touch of Saint Estephe tertiary aromatics. A second sample is more lifted and glossier. The palate is full-bodied, a lot of extraction, pure blackberry, bilberry, spice and a touch of liquorices. Huge grip on the finish with just a hint of sweet dates. Tasted March 2010.
Neal MartinScore: 87-89/100
Very deep crimson – a real glow. Floral nose – rather exotic but with a few notes of greenness. Thick and sweet on the front end, almost tarry – very drying tannins on the finsh after massive sweet hit. A bit overripe. Just too much. Drying tannins on the finish. Apparently the old Marbuzet fruit goes into Pagodes. Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MWScore: 15.5/20
Bordeaux / France